Duterte wants martial law in Mindanao extended until end of 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to extend martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao until December 31.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella during a briefing in Malacañang read the letter of Duterte to Congress.

Duterte wrote that the ongoing rebellion in Mindanao would not be quelled on July 22, the end of the 60-day martial law period.

"For this reason and because public safety requires it, I call upon the Congress to extend until 31st December 2017 or for such a period of time as the Congress may determine the proclamation of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao," Abella quoted the President.

Spox Abella says Pres. Duterte wants martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) July 18, 2017

But Abella said that Congress would still have the final say on when martial law would be extended.

The spokesperson said that Duterte considered the recommendation of the military and police upon making his decision.

“The primary objective of the possible extension is to allow our forces to continue with their operations unhampered by deadlines and focus more on the liberation of Marawi and its rehabilitation and rebuilding,” Abella said.

Duterte's extension plea came just a week after he indicated that he only needed 10 to 15 days to end the Marawi City crisis.

Duterte signed Proclamation No. 216 on May 23 declaring martial law and suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao after pro-ISIS Maute group attacked Marawi City.

The President previously claimed that declaring martial law would solve all the problems in Mindanao. — MDM, GMA News